Customer Reviews

Secret Operations: Remagen Bridge

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"Remagen Bridge", one of the "Secret Operations" books put out by Ian Allen presents the reader with a concise account of the events surrounding the capture of the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine River on March 7th, 1945. Only 96 pages in length, Ian Kemp does a good job at providing you with a basic understanding of the strategic and tactical situation, US Army and Wehrmacht command structure, unit organization and history, weaponry and personalities involved. The maps, essential for understanding any volume of military history, are very simple and easy to follow. The photographs run the gamut from Shermans and Pershings to views of the bridge from both sides of the Rhine giving you a good idea of the terrain around Remagen. The bibliography however, while providing this reviewer with some new resources, was found in front of the book instead of its usual place at the end nor is there any index. While not providing any in-depth analysis of the capture, this little tome gives the general reader and beginning student of WW2 a good foundation if he cares to read more of this interesting episode of the final days of Hitler's Germany. For that, I would recommend Ken Hechler's classic "The Bridge At Remagen" or John Toland's "The Last 100 Days".

The new series from Ian Allan called "Secret Operations" is a rehash of already well-researched campaigns. At least, this book precisely falls under this definition. No bibliography, lacks strong analysis. Better to read Steven Zaloga's title for Osprey. So pity.